From the Principal
World Teachers Day is celebrated each year to recognise the hard work and professionalism of teachers worldwide. World Teachers’ Day was first recognised in 1994, so this year marks 30 years of recognising the extraordinary value of the work teachers do and providing the community with the opportunity to express collective thanks to teachers for their hard and effective work. The day will be recognised with a morning tea and certificates of appreciation on 4th November.
Recently, I received an email from a member of our community and I thought I would share this with you:
‘Evening to all of you and to all the other teachers and wellbeing team who were involved with the English exam today… The level of support you give these kids, and for the entire year is beyond words. Thankyou doesn’t seem enough, but honestly Thankyou! MSC often gets a bad wrap out there and it’s not deserved in any way. The teachers and support staff are top notch and as a parent I can’t Thankyou enough. Please pass this on to the wellbeing team. Good luck for the rest of and year.’
I concur with this comment. My staff are ‘top notch’. They go above and beyond each and every day, always trying to do the very best for our students. They are amazing and I thank them for their hard work and professionalism.
The end of term will be soon upon us, so I remind students, they need to continue to work hard. Ensure all work is submitted on time and be present in class so learning continues until the last week of the term. There are many opportunities still available for students to participate in, so look carefully at the dates of different activities so you don’t miss out.
Linda Stanton
Principal
Important Dates
Term 4
November
Monday 4th November - Staff Professional Development Day - Student free
Tuesday 5th November - Melbourne Cup - Public Holiday
Wednesday 6th to Friday 8th November - Year 10 Outdoor and Environmental Studies Otways hike
Friday 8th November - Year 8 (all students) excursion to Martha Cove
Monday 11th November - Remembrance Day commemorations - 10.45am
Tuesday 12th November - Year 11 SWOTVAC - No classes for Year 11 students
Wednesday 13th to 21st November - Year 7 to 11 exams
Thursday 14th November - Final presentations for Year 11 VM students
Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th November - Final assessment presentations for Year 11 VM students
Tuesday 19th November - Year 7 celebration of first year of secondary school - Portfolio showcase afternoon
Thursday 21st November - Year 9 Graduation and social - Frankston Arts Centre
Thursday 21st November - Year 10 and 11 exam catch up day
Thursday 21st November - Year 8 End of Year celebration
Friday 22nd November - Professional Practice Day for all teachers - Student free
Monday 25th November - Fast Forward commences - students transition into their 2025 year level and classes
Thursday 28th November - Year 10 Formal - Frankston Arts Centre
December
Wednesday 4th and Thursday 5th December - Japanese visitors from Nara
Friday 6th December - Students in 11 and 12 2025 final day
Tuesday 10th December - Grade 6 Orientation Day for students joining MSC in 2025
Monday 16th December - Presentation Evening - New Peninsula Baptist Church - 6.30pm
Tuesday 17th to Thursday 19th December - 3 day activity program
Friday 20th December - Last day of Term 4
Don't forget to look on compass for sport sign ups, excursions and any other information sent to students and parents.
Below is a link to help guide you in your use of compass.
https://mornsc.vic.edu.au/for-parents/compass-parent-guide/
Middle School
Dear Parents and Carers,
Unlocking Potential at Mornington Secondary College!
At MSC, we believe in celebrating and supporting our students’ unique talents and encouraging them to reach for new heights! We’re proud to offer programs that inspire our high achievers and those looking to push beyond their year level. With Advanced Classes in English and Maths and the Victorian High-Ability Program, students can dive into challenging material, grow their skills, and discover their full potential.
These programs are just some of the ways we’re creating exciting opportunities for students to shine and achieve their very best at MSC!
We support students who are working beyond their year with programs such as Advanced classes in English and Maths as well as the Victorian High Abilities program.
Virtual School Victoria delivers the Victorian High-Ability Program (VHAP) to high-ability students in Years 5-8, at all Victorian State Schools.
High Abilities leader Tracey Watchorn is overseeing the program for the students in year 7 & 8.
Just a little bit about VHAP. It consists of ten-week online courses in Mathematics and English for both primary and secondary levels. Students engage in synchronous Webex classes with their teachers.
In the VHAP English course, we explore links between reality and fiction by observing the world around us and our journeys into fictional worlds.
In the VHAP maths course, students embrace the “why” of maths, not just the “what”. Students and teachers dive into the philosophical implications of mathematical topics.
Next week, we are taking 54 students from the year 8 and 9 Advanced classes to the Victorian Space and Science Education Centre in Strathmore (VSSEC) to participate in its signature program Mission to Mars where, students conduct an exploration of the Red Planet. It is really engaging students in STEM activities.
Students work as a team and use their problem-solving skills to successfully complete a geological survey of the Mars surface. The students wear specially designed spacesuits and act as astronauts, mission controllers and research scientists. We are really looking forward to this excursion.
Wishing you a great week.
Denise Leggett
Middle School Assistant Principal
Senior School
To students and families of the Mornington Senior School,
Week 4 already done. Halloween has come and gone for those who celebrate and the Year 12s have started their end of year exams with English and EAL on Tuesday. The final day for Year 11 Unit 2 assessments has also passed and we are about to move into exam revision for our 11s before their exams start on the 13th November. Our VCE VM students in Year 11 are finishing their final applied learning projects before preparing for their final Year 11 presentations and interviews. Our 2025 VCE VM students had a special assembly this week where they were given information about the structure of the VCE VM for 2025. Information about the program, the structure and the expectations for students has been sent home with those VCE VM students. Our proposed structure for 2025 has been formed after consultation with the Jobs, Skills and Pathways Manager at the Dept of Education, current VCE VM students and after analysing our structured workplace learning data from 2023 and 2024. We are excited about the opportunities the modified structure provides and look forward to our VCE VM students harnessing the opportunities presented to them.
2025 student program confirmation
The timetabling team is working diligently with a new software program to develop the 2025 timetable. So far, the Year 11 & 12 courses have been confirmed and with that information being sent to the admin team, it will be available to students and families soon. We are now moving on to the Year 9 & 10 courses and allocations. Once confirmed, we’ll be able to let students and families now. There will then not be any subject changes available until the second week of Fast Forward. Students who have missed out on subjects and have gaps in their timetables (due to their back-up choices not being available) will be spoken to prior to Fast Forward. Year level teams will do this work with the timetabling team.
Arrangements for Year 12 students during SWOTVAC (study without teaching vacation)
It has been fantastic to see so many Year 12 students studying at school during the last week. Year 12 teachers will continue to be available during their usual scheduled Year 12 class time for any student who wishes to come in for support in preparation for their exams. The teacher of their Year 12 class will be available in those times up until the exam for that subject. Year 11 students studying a Unit 3&4 subject will continue to attend classes as scheduled up until their exam.
What is coming up this term?
Tues 29th Oct – Wed 20th Nov – Year 12 VCAA exam period
Mon 4th Nov – Staff Professional Development Day (no classes for students)
Tues 5th Nov – Melbourne Cup Day (no classes or exams)
Tues 12th Nov – Year 11 SWOTVAC Day (to prepare for exams)
Wed 13th Nov – Thurs 21st Nov – Year 10 & 11 Exam period (assessed on 2024 content)
Fri 22nd Nov – Exam correction day and planning day for Fast Forward program
Mon 25th Nov – Fri 6th Dec - 2025 Fast Forward program
Friday 29th Nov – Year 10 Formal
Thurs 12th Dec – VCE ATAR results released to students
Mon 16th Dec – 2024 MSC Awards evening
Nick Evans
Senior School Assistant Principal
Being Kind to Ourselves
As we come up to end of the semester with exams and final assessments I thought it might be timely to talk about a few things that students (and maybe all of the rest of us) can do to stay positive and “Springy”(Resilient!)
Embrace Challenges: When you face a challenge its easy to see it as overwhelming, but in truth challenges are how we grow and learn. Every challenge you face can teach you something valuable and build your resilience.
Practice Positive Self-Talk: Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations. Remind yourself of your strengths and past successes to boost your confidence. Its easy to convince yourself that you “Can’t” do something. Turn it around.
Set Realistic Expectations: Understand that perfection isn’t always attainable. Set achievable goals and celebrate small victories along the way.
Learn from Mistakes: Instead of dwelling on what went wrong, look at what things you can change to do it differently next time. Mistakes are stepping stones to improvement.
Surround Yourself with Support: Build a network of friends, family, and teachers who uplift and encourage you. Having a support system can make tough times feel more manageable.
Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation: Incorporate mindfulness techniques, like deep breathing or meditation, to help manage stress and maintain focus. Taking breaks to recharge is crucial.
Stay Engaged: Participate in activities and clubs that interest you. Staying involved can boost your mood and help you connect with others.
Seek Help When Needed: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to reach out for help from teachers, coordinators, parents, Wellbeing team or friends. Talking about your feelings can lighten the load. Remember the people around you are here to help you, just as you are sometimes here to help them, but don’t carry the load by yourself. Sometimes the best help you can offer a friend is the gift of helping them reach out to someone else.
Positivity can significantly impact our well-being and academic success. Remember it’s okay to seek support and take things one step at a time!
Mike Parker
Assistant Principal
Middle School Student of the Week
Charlotte Davies
Year 7
Favourite food: I like lasagne and steak.
Hobbies out of school: I do athletics, I like to dance and play soccer.
What sports team do you follow: I love the Matilda’s and Essendon FC.
Favourite TV show: Gilmore Girls.
Do you have any pets: An 8-year-old dog named Rowley.
What do you enjoy most about being at Mornington Secondary College?
I like having teachers I can trust and how there are a different people that I can get to know.
What career do you wish to follow when you finish school?
I want to go to the Olympics and compete in hurdles, long jump and 100 metres.
Ellie Smith
Year 8
Favourite food: I love sushi.
Hobbies out of school: I play soccer.
What sports team do you follow: The Matilda’s and Essendon FC.
Favourite TV show: Friends.
Do you have any pets: A dog named Buddy, a cat named Sparrow, a chicken named Nugget.
What do you enjoy most about being at Mornington Secondary College?
I like all the different experiences and opportunities I can have here.
What career do you wish to follow when you finish school?
I have no idea yet.
Ethan Sheen
Year 9
Favourite food: Chicken Parma.
Hobbies out of school: Soccer and Athletics.
What sports teams do you follow: Manchester United and in AFL North Melbourne.
Favourite movies: Goal or Pele Birth of a Legend.
Do you have pets: Dog, cat, 2 lizards and a fish.
What do you enjoy most about being at Mornington Secondary College?
The sport days and carnivals and other sport stuff.
What career do you wish to follow when you finish school?
I hope to become a professional soccer player, but if it doesn't work out maybe something still to do with sport.
All Schools Athletics Championships
Congratulations to Andrew Turver who finished in 3rd place in the steeplechase at the All Schools Athletics Championships on the weekend!
Excursion to the Peninsula Hot Springs
Year 11 Business Management Excursion: Our Year 11 Business Management students had the opportunity to visit the Peninsula Hot Springs to learn about staffing. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the People & Culture coordinator who spoke to our students about important information that would be used in their final SAC. Our kids learned about the importance of inductions, how internal and external recruitment can be used, as well as various strategies the business uses to be socially responsible. The weather was great, and students had the opportunity to explore the facilities following the session. Our Year 11’s showed great behaviour and enjoyed a wonderful excursion.’
Year 7 Maths
Students in 7C Maths made ‘Newspaper cubes’ to explore volume. We used a smaller cube to first estimate, and then calculate, the number of smaller cubes that would fit inside the larger cube.
Lawn Bowls Interschool Sport
Last week 10 students represented MSC in Lawn bowls at Hastings Lawn Bowls Club. Our students showcased their skills and sportsmanship, making us proud on the green.
Junior Team Performance
Our junior team, composed of Year 9 boys, put forth a commendable effort throughout the day. They played a total of five matches, winning three and narrowly losing two. Their determination and teamwork shone through, setting a strong foundation for future competitions.
Senior Team Dominance
The highlight of the day came from our senior team, featuring Year 10 boys, who displayed an incredible performance by going undefeated! Their hard work and dedication paid off as they fought their way to the finals, where they faced a formidable Dromana team. In a thrilling match, our seniors showcased exceptional strategy and skill, ultimately claiming victory and bringing home the championship trophy. Well done Boys!
School Saving Bonus
Campion Education
PSW
A dedicated phone line and email service will be available for schools and parents to address queries related to the bonus, uniform availability, and the purchasing process. (9768 0333). Support will be available throughout the bonus redemption period to resolve any issues.
Website and Social Media: Regular updates will be posted on the Uniform Group website and social media platforms to remind families about the bonus and how to utilise it effectively. For more information, visit: www.uniform-group.com.au
Parents are encourage to redeem their bonus early to prevent last minute issues.
Q: Will SSB create delays in-store? A: The retail process for SSB adds an extra step to the purchase process, and we are aware of the potential impact on in-store transactions. We are working on several solutions to ensure families move through efficiently, including adding staff, investing in extra technology, and evaluating store layouts and flow. We encourage families to shop via fitting nights, online or use click & collect where possible. If families prefer to visit stores, we recommend shopping early in December or early
January, ahead of the back-to-school rush when it gets busier.
Remembrance Day
Please join us at this year's commemorations.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram
